dickandlois Report post Posted July 15, 2012 Looking over the different Generator threads, one factor has not been addressed from what I have been reading: Elevation and output Wattage. At the bottom of the post is a thread to copy and paste into your search engine to get a copy of Onan's RV Generator Handbook I put together a chart that should be close to the power output loss one could expect at altitude. Knowing that charts do not copy well on these threads, the information will be listed in line item form; rather then as a chart. There will always be some reduction in the output of generators in regards to elevation because of items like engine HP, ignition type, fuel intake design and air filtering, and just less air, plus other factors. Diesel and LPG engines are also effected to a greater or lesser degree. 5500 watt generator. A 5.5 K generator will have the same output up to approximately 5000 ft. above sea level. At 6000 ft. the output will be 5.3 kw. and at 7000 ft. the output will be 5.1 kw. One needs to reduce the output by around 200 watts for each additional 1000 ft. 6.500 and 7000 watt generators. The 6.5 and 7 Kw generators will have the same output up to 3000ft. above sea level. At 4000ft the 6.5 Kw unit will be around 6.275Kw and the 7Kw will drop to 6.75 Kw. At 5000ft. the 6.5 unit will be around 6.0Kw and the 7Kw unit will be around 6.5Kw. You need to reduce the output for the 6.5 Kw unit by 225 watts for each additional 1000ft of elevation and the 7Kw unit by 250 watts. for each 1000ft in elevation. So if one drives to the top of Pikes Peak the output would drop considerably. This is also true for any internal combustion, non-turbo engine. Taking this information into account one will need to reduce electrical loads when traveling in locations above 5000ft. The generators could start to quit or be very problematic. Generators of 8 to 12 Kw have a larger load swing but the loads placed on them has less effect due primarily to greater output to begin with. NOTE: Many gas generator have an elevation adjustment to correct the mixture for elevation changes. Should you make a change, remember to reset it for the lower elevations! Onan Rv Generator Handbook link. Copy and paste into your search bar. www.cumminsonan.com/www/pdf/rv/f-1123.pdf Rich. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
five Report post Posted July 18, 2012 You lose about 3% of power for every 1,000' of altitude gained. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
